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Annual MPA Convention canceled

Due to the ongoing public health crisis, the MPA Board of Directors voted Thursday to cancel this year's planned 154th Annual Convention scheduled for July 9-11 in Biloxi.

"Unfortunately, with the convention fewer than three months away, it became impossible to plan for an event that would require a commitment from members and presenters to attend a gathering this summer," said MPA President Kevin Cooper, Senior Vice President of Boone Newspapers, Inc. "We also felt that postponement was not viable considering the enormous economic burdens all of our members are feeling right now."

The event was to be held at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. It and other gaming venues have been shut down for the past month by executive order from Gov. Tate Reeves during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MPA Executive Director Layne Bruce said the Better Newspaper Contest Editorial Division awards will still be presented later this year.

"We are looking at a couple of alternatives — either presenting the awards live via webcast or perhaps in person during a lunch program later this year when it is deemed safe for such events to occur," he said. "A decision will be made soon."

"It is truly regrettable that we've had to take this step of cancellation," Bruce added. "I don't think I've gone through a summer in nearly 35 years without attending an MPA convention, and my co-workers and I will certainly miss visiting with our terrific members. But, ultimately, this is a decision based on what is best for all."